Cricket South Africa lauds team for win against England

Cricket South Africa has congratulated the national side led by skipper Graeme Smith for their convincing victory against England in the 1st Test at The Oval, on Monday.

Written by NDTVSports

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New Delhi:

Cricket South Africa has congratulated the national side led by skipper Graeme Smith for their convincing victory against England in the 1st Test at The Oval, on Monday.

The visitors claimed the match by an innings and 12 runs after declaring their first innings on 637 a day earlier. On Monday however, it was the turn of the bowlers to wreck havoc as Dale Steyn walked away with five wickets to leave England batsmen in complete shambles. The work though, according to CSA's Acting CEO Jacques Faul, is far from over. "There is still much work to be done to clinch the series. But this is a moment to celebrate what has been a wonderful team performance of high quality and intensity," he said while lauding the efforts of Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Steyn in particular. (Match report)

Smith (131), Kallis (183) and Amla (311) had earlier pulverised the English bowling. Faul however had a special word for coach Gary Kirsten as well. "Taking things day by day has become a hallmark of the team under the leadership of Gary Kirsten," he said while commenting on how the rest of the series needs to be negotiated as well. (Stats from the match)